Fence and post anchor



Sept. 1, 1931. M. c. THOM 1,821,125

' FENCE AND POST ANCHOR Original Filed Jan. 11. 1930 (IMO-(M4435.

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 MICHAEL G. THGM,

OF CAREY, OHIO FENCE Ann rose ANCHOR Continuation of application Serial No. 420,189, filed January 11, 1930. This application filed October 9,

1930. Serial This invention relates to an anchor for use in connection with fence posts and the like and it is more particularly a continuation of my application filed January 11, 1930, Serial No. 420,189.- 7

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and eiiicient device which can be driven readily into the ground after which, when subjected to a pulling action, it will open to present the maximum resistance to its withdrawal. With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred forms of the invention have been shown.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the anchor in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the anchor with its head in folded position.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the anchor with the parts positioned as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 is an elevation of one end portion of the strip forming part of the anchor.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the lower portion of a modified form of anchor, the head being shown by full lines in folded po sition and by broken lines in anchoring position.

Figure 6 is an elevation of one end portion of the strip forming a part of this modified structure.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7- 7, Figure 6.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates an elongated, stiff, metal strip, one end of which is bent back indicated at 2 to provide a hook. Adjacent to the hook a metal tongue 3 is struck from the strip to provide another hook. These hooks 2 and 3 are extended in the same direction but are located at opposite sides of the strip.

That end of strip 1 remote from the hooks is formed with a longitudinal slot 1 and is bent to provide spaced eyes 5. A pivot pin 6 is secured in the eyes and extends back of a strap 7 which is struck from an intermediate portion of a strip 8 constituting the head of the anchor. This head has a transverse depression 9 contactedby the eyes 5 so that when the eyes are assembled with the head as shown in Figure 2, the head will be held against lateral tilting relative to the strip 1.

(his end of the head is pointed as shown at 10 while-its other end is forked as shown at 11 and spread laterally. The pointed end portion is shorter than the forked end portion. i i r i In practice the forked end' 11 is pressed toward strip-1 so that the pointed end portion '10 of the head will be substantially in alignment with the strip 1. The anchor is then arranged at the proper angle and driven into the ground. lVhen it is subjected to a pulling action the head will tend to move toa position at right angles to the strip 1 as shown in Figure 1, so that it thus becomes practically impossible towithdraw the anchor from the ground; A guy wire W. or the like can then be connected toeith'er, or both of the hooks 2 and 3 and, when attached to a fence post or'the like "will act as an efficient brace. 1

In' Figures 5, 6 and 7 a inodifiedform of the anchor has been illustrated. In this structure the strip 12 has one end offset at an obtuse angle as shown at 13 and from this offset portion there is struck a stop tongue 14'. That end portion of the offset 13 from which tongue 14 is struck'isslit at its. center as shown at 15 so that two oppositely disposed'angular arms 16 are provided which are adapted to contact at their free ends as shownin Figure 6.

Thelma-d1? is approximately the same as the one heretofore described, it being formed with a transverse depression-18 fromwhich is struck a strap 19. I i

When the parts of this modified structure are to be assembled the arms 16 are spread apart and the strap 19 is inserted between them into the opening from which tongue 14 has been struck. T he arms are then pressed together so that the aligning end portions 20 thereof will constitute a pivot about which the head 17 can swing. These pivot portions will be seated in the depression 18 and the tongue 14 will act as a stop to limit the swinging movement of the head relative to strip 12.

After the parts have been assembled the head 17 can be swung to the position shown in full lines in Figure 5. It will be noted that the head is so shaped as to fit snugly against the offset portion 13 and the adjacent portion of strip 12 when the parts are arranged to be driven into the soil.

When the head is arranged to prevent withdrawal of the anchor it will abut against the tongue 14 as shown by broken lines in Figure 5.

This modified structure is advantageous as compared with the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive because it eliminates a separate pivot pin 6 and, consequently, still further reduces the cost of construction without impairing the eiiiciency of the article.

Importance is attached to the fact that this anchor can be stamped readily from heavy sheet metal and its production thus expedited.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. An anchor of the class described including a relatively stiff strip, a head having a transverse depression constituting a bearing seat for one end portion of the strip, a strap struck from the depressed portion and working in the strip and pivot means carried by the strip and extending between said strap and the depressed portion.

2. An anchor of the class described including a relatively stiff strip having an opening in one end portion providing separate arms, a head having a transverse depression constituting a bearing seat for said arms, a strap struck from the depressed portion and extending between the arms, and means extending from the arms and back of the strap for pivotally connecting the head to the strip.

3. An anchor of the class described including a relatively stilt strip having an opening in one end portion providing separate arms, a head having a transverse depression constituting a bearing seat for said arms, a strap struck from the depressed portion and extending between the arms, means extending from the arms and back of the strap for pivotally connecting the head to the strip, and a stop tongue extending from the strip for limiting the pivotal movement of the head.

4. An anchor of the class described including a strip having a slit end providing opposed angular arms, a head, a strap carried y the head and Working within the slit end of the strip, said arms extending at the sides of and back of the strap to pivotally connect the head tothe strip.

5. An anchor of the class described including a strip having a slit end, a stop struck from the strip adjacent to said end to provide opposed angular arms, a head, and a strap carried by the head and extending between and pivotally mounted on the arms.

6. An anchor of the class described including a relatively stifi strip having spaced eyes at one end, guy engaging means at its other end, a head having a transverse de pression constituting a bearing seat for the eyes, a strap struck from the depressed portion and extending between the eyes, and a pivot pin extending through the eyes and back of the strap.

7. An anchor of the class described including a relatively stiff strip having spaced eyes at one end, guy engaging means at its other end, a head having a transverse depression constituting a bearing seat for the eyes, a strap struck from the depressed portion and extending between the eyes, and a pivot pin extending through the eyes and back of the strap, said head having a forked laterally spread end portion and a shorter pointed end portion.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature.

MICHAEL oi THOM. 

